Nothing. It's way too damn cold out there. In fact I've needed to change the oil on the Miata for over a month and haven't done it because the daytime temps haven't gotten much over freezing for well over a week now.

__________________ You couldn't hear a dump truck driving through a nitro glycerin plant!

The day before Christmas break began, I am a teacher, the clutch went out in my '99 Tacoma 4x4. So for the last 1.5 weeks I have: replace the clutch plate, pressure plate, throw-out bearing, pilot bearing, slave cylinder, master cylinder. I had to remove the transmission, transfer case, drive shafts, etc. Replaced fluids and lubed up everything. Tonight, after replacing the master cylinder: TADA! The clutch works again. Did it all myself, with a bit of help from the Nephew to put the tranny back in, and the lovely and talented assistant (my wife) bleeding the system over and over again! Plus, it isn't much of a garage...just a carport with shifting plywood to move heavy bits around. To tie this into motorcycle stuff, I used a motorcycle jack, from Harbor Freight, to move the tranny and transfer case about.

Sadly, Monday the drudgery begins anew with kids returning on Tuesday. BUT, the truck is a truck again!!!

The other day I added a second story to my home made kayak rack so I could get the second boat off the floor and have my 3 bikes side by side. Tired of moving one so I can get out another one. Left for Borrego yesterday, was putting together my first tool kit and couldn't find my new allen wrench set or 12 mm wrench. Grrrrr. Guess I'll have to work some more on the garage when I get back.

In my district we have a shorter summer, but 3 weeks for winter break.

__________________
In your helmet, no one can hear you scream.
Old(ish) Chick on a Bike

The day before Christmas break began, I am a teacher, the clutch went out in my '99 Tacoma 4x4. So for the last 1.5 weeks I have: replace the clutch plate, pressure plate, throw-out bearing, pilot bearing, slave cylinder, master cylinder. I had to remove the transmission, transfer case, drive shafts, etc. Replaced fluids and lubed up everything. Tonight, after replacing the master cylinder: TADA! The clutch works again. Did it all myself, with a bit of help from the Nephew to put the tranny back in, and the lovely and talented assistant (my wife) bleeding the system over and over again! Plus, it isn't much of a garage...just a carport with shifting plywood to move heavy bits around. To tie this into motorcycle stuff, I used a motorcycle jack, from Harbor Freight, to move the tranny and transfer case about.

Sadly, Monday the drudgery begins anew with kids returning on Tuesday. BUT, the truck is a truck again!!!

Feels good to do it yourself.

I feel your pain though, I was a teacher for 5 years. Low pay, bad parents, kids that do not behave, and no respect from the general public.

Thank God (who you can't mention in school), that the rewards of the job outweigh the bad.

I feel your pain though, I was a teacher for 5 years. Low pay, bad parents, kids that do not behave, and no respect from the general public.

Thank God (who you can't mention in school), that the rewards of the job outweigh the bad.

Jim

Bad behavior IS my job. I teach at the alternative school in my county. I am the HS science guy. Been doing so for 17 seasons. Horrible parents....had one get arrested along with his son this last semester. The bad behavior, often, is learned at home! I like it so far...but, there are days!

I enjoy wrenching on my vehicles. But, often I am doing things I have never done before...like this. Never worked on a hydraulic clutch before....very different stuff. And, it has been 20 years since I pulled a tranny. But, I have the tools, time, and determination. The sense of satisfaction of doing it "yourself" cannot be overstated...I wish more people today would do "hard" things, might solve some of their angst!

I spent a few hours tinkering with my pressurized tank sandblaster to get it working like a charm as well as setting up a mock blasting room out of tarps and gun tape. Just call me Red Green! Now I can blast the polaris colt for welding repair, blast the RZ 500 frame and XT 550 frame for total restoration. A great evening that will continue tomorrow.

__________________
Originally Posted by Gravity's Dog
"I came to the site for the bikes, and stayed for Jo Momma. I am constantly amazed, revolted, and in love with the ideas I see here. An extreme reflection of the human experience."

I spent a few hours tinkering with my pressurized tank sandblaster to get it working like a charm as well as setting up a mock blasting room out of tarps and gun tape. Just call me Red Green! Now I can blast the polaris colt for welding repair, blast the RZ 500 frame and XT 550 frame for total restoration. A great evening that will continue tomorrow.

I continued tonight. Blaster works pretty good but need to come up with a dust exhaust system. Can't see a damn thing after a few minutes. I have an old squirrel cage fan I thought I would rig up with a couple of furnace filters, that should do the trick. Another night. Start working mids tomorrow so it won't be until the weekend.

__________________
Originally Posted by Gravity's Dog
"I came to the site for the bikes, and stayed for Jo Momma. I am constantly amazed, revolted, and in love with the ideas I see here. An extreme reflection of the human experience."